No Regrets

I was told by some wise friends to make sure I keep a clear calender for the weeks leading up to High School Graduation. I didn't quite understand why, but trusted those who had gone before me. The one thing I committed to when my oldest started her Freshman year is that I would have no regrets when I look back in four years over the time I would have spent with her and each of my girls and my involvement in their lives as teenagers.

I planned my race schedule accordingly. I raced two races in April. I raced Lifetime Marquee with much success and took a happy 2nd place there. I was pleased with where my fitness was for this season opener. I have been coaching myself and working twice a week with Chris Smith of Empowered Performance on strength. We have been targeting my hammy/glut issues that I have struggled with since a severe injury back in 2009. Next up was St. Anthony's race. My goal here was to go top 5. Fitness and taper was spot on, unfortunately, I under prepared for the heat on the run and at mile 2, I was forced to slow the pace to keep the HR manageable for the duration of the race. I wasn't too disappointed as it was a good to know my taper were a success and I felt on fire during the swim and bike. I managed a 13th place finish which qualified me for the 5150 HyVee US Championships.

At this point, May was right around the corner and I pulled the plug on structured training. I was in graduation mode full force with my daughter, requirements deadlines, family arriving and party planning. Wow! I was truly lucky to get one workout in some days, but I just went with the flow and did what I had time for.

All came together and Graduation came and went with many emotions for this Mamma. We then decided to be jet setters (as client Tom Stone would say) and head to Italy and Croatia for three weeks. IT WAS A BLAST! Once again, just ran when the schedule allowed and we even snuck in a 4 hr Bike Tour of Rome and swimming in the Adriatic Sea! Regardless to say, I am a little unfit now for the end of June.

I am really trying to jump start and regain my fitness quickly for August races that seem to be coming very quickly. Doing this amongst the summer schedule with the girls and some more travel sprinkled in, is calling for more early morning sessions than I like. As long as I have Sunshine on my side, I'll be good :)

As I sit and reflect as College for my first is literally less than 2 months away... And as my second just had Senior Photos taken, and as my third is already running with HRHS Cross Country preparing to be a freshman  this fall; I can look back and truly say thus far, I have no regrets. I plan to say that two more times. As a parent, you are either there, or not. I have chosen to be there.